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Sociology

GCSE Sociology is a new course at Pontypridd High. You will investigate the developing, structure and functioning of human society. Pupils study the importance and influence of factors like culture, family, education and crime. You will develop an understanding and critical awareness of the social world around you. You are encouraged to explore and debate contemporary social issues to enable you to challenge assumptions and question your everyday understanding of issues in society. This subject helps you to use and apply your knowledge, critically analyse information and explore sociological theories to understand social issues, debates, social changes and continuities over time.

 

This course will help you to understand more about the world around you. Everyday, we access information through the press and social media, and this course will give you the skills to be able to discuss, debate, analyse and evaluate the issues that matter. You will tackle relevant issues like policing strategies and gender inequality, carry out different methods of research, and develop the skills needed to challenge stereotypes and make informed judgements.

 

Staff 

Staff Responsibility
Jonathan Powell Teacher
Ceri-Lynne Jones Head of Humanities

Years 9, 10 and 11 GCSE Option 

Component 1: Understanding Social Processes Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of qualification This component covers the following topic areas:

· Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission

· Families

· Education

· Sociological research methods

A written assessment with a mix of short answer, structured questions and extendedresponse questions, all compulsory. The extended response questions will require candidates to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding from across the relevant specification content.

Component 2: Understanding Social Structures Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of qualification This component covers the following topic areas:

· Social differentiation and stratification

· Crime and deviance

· Applied methods of sociological enquiry

A written assessment with a mix of short answer, structured questions and extendedresponse questions, all compulsory. The extended response questions will require candidates to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding from across the relevant specification content.

 

Skills:

The full range of key skills are utilised during the course of study, namely:

· Problem solving

· Investigative skills

· Decision making

· Communication

· Data analysis

 

Where it can take me:

Sociology can prepare you for careers such as:

· Crime analyst

· Lawyer

· Paralegal

· Law clerk

· Police officer

· Probation officer

Further information: Please contact Miss C Jones – Head of Humanities